Ventura police arrest man in attack

Ventura police arrested a 23-year-old man in an attack on a woman last month, officials said.

Police said a 25-year-old woman was walking through a parking lot at the Pacific View Mall on Jan. 16 when she was hit in the waist from behind. She turned to face the assailant and tried to call police on her cellphone, officials said, but the attacker took her phone.

Ventura police said they obtained surveillance video from mall security and a Target store. Officials said detectives did more investigation and identified the attacker as Blas Hernandez, of Ventura.

Authorities said police found Hernandez on Friday in the 200 block of Wesley Avenue. They arrested him on suspicion of battery, robbery, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime and on an outstanding felony warrant. He was booked into the Ventura County jail.